Work glove

ABSTRACT

A work glove is disclosed that has an outer layer with a seam stitched with a high strength thread, an inner fabric layer and an intermediate liquid resistant layer therebetween. The liquid resistant layer and the fabric layer present a glove lining secured within the outer layer, with the fabric layer adapted to receive a wearer&#39;s hand. The glove preferably also has a cuff secured to an open end of the outer glove layer by a second seam stitched with the high strength thread.

The present invention relates to a multi-layer, heavy duty work glove. More specifically, the work glove includes seams stitched with a high strength synthetic thread and a laminated jersey fabric that enhances its durability and comfort.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Work gloves, such as the type used for carpentry, gardening, or farm work are typically formed from a knitted fabric made of cotton or polyester material. They may be reinforced across the palm and knuckle regions with a leather or suede material. Such gloves are not necessarily heavy duty: they are typically susceptible to damage from abrasions, cuts, pinches, or tears. Additionally, they can fail at important seams, such as where the leather material and the fabric are seamed together and where the cuff is attached to the glove body. Also, they do not protect the wearer from liquid contamination, such as an oil spill or the like. Other work gloves may become uncomfortable after any extended wear time.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In an embodiment of the present invention, a work glove is provided having an outer glove layer with a seam stitched with a high strength thread, an inner fabric layer and an intermediate liquid resistant layer therebetween. The liquid resistant layer and the fabric layer present a glove lining secured within the outer glove layer, with the fabric layer adapted to receive a wearer's hand. The glove may also include a cuff portion secured to an open end of the outer glove layer by another seam stitched with the high strength thread.

Other advantages of this work glove will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein is set forth by way of illustration and example an embodiment of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a work glove in accordance with the present invention with a corner of the safety cuff folded upwardly to show the inner, fleeced surface of the glove's lining.

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the glove of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the work glove's inner lining showing its outer rubberized surface, but with a corner turned up to show the inner, fleeced layer.

FIG. 4 is a partial section of the work glove taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a work glove 10 is shown in accordance with the present invention. Specifically, the glove 10 includes a glove shell 12, an inner lining 14 and a safety cuff 16. The glove 10 presents a top side 18, bottom or gripping side 20 and an open end 22 into which a wearer's hand is inserted. The glove 10 is comfortable, allowing wear over long periods of time, and is exceptionally durable in even heavy-duty work applications.

The glove shell 12 is preferably formed from a combination of a split leather material 24 and a natural color cotton fabric 26. Other materials may be used, such as other leathers, suedes or polyesters. The split leather 24 extends over the palm 30, thumb 32, first finger 34, gripping surface side 20 of the other fingers 36, finger tips 38 and knuckle 40 areas. The cotton fabric 26 extends from the safety cuff 16 to the leather material 24 of the first finger 34 and finger tips 38.

The leather material 24 and the cotton fabric 26 are stitched together with a high strength synthetic thread, such as Kevlar® thread developed by the DuPont Company, to present high strength seams 50. Kevlar® fibers consist of long molecular chains produced from poly-paraphenylene terephthalamide. The chains are highly oriented with strong inter-chain bonding, which results in a unique combination of properties. Some of these properties include high tensile strength at low weight, high chemical resistance, high toughness, high cut resistance and flame resistance.

The cotton fabric 26 can be and is preferably cinched along stitched line 52 preferably using the high strength thread. The cinched line 52 helps provide for a proper fit of the glove 10 over a wearer's hand at the wrist area.

The lining 14, as best seen in FIG. 3, is preferably formed of a laminated jersey fabric. More specifically, the outer surface 60 of the lining 14 includes a water-resistant layer, preferably formed of nitrile butane rubber, and the inner surface 62 includes a comfort layer, preferably formed of cotton jersey fabric having a soft fleeced finish. As shown, this lining 14 is stitched together along seam 63 using polyester thread. The water-resistant layer and the comfort layer may be formed from other appropriate materials as desired.

The safety cuff 16 is preferably formed of yellow color cotton fabric and is preferably laminated with polyethylene rubber. Other appropriate fabrics and rubbers may be used. The rubberized safety cuff 16 is stitched using the high strength thread to the open end 18 of the glove shell 12 at seam 70. Both the stitching and the rubberized cuff 16 further enhance the glove's durability.

The multi-layer lining 14 is inserted into the glove shell 12. It is stitched at the open end 22 to the cuff 16, preferably using a cotton binding 80 and polyester thread.

FIG. 4 shows a detail of the glove layers on the top side 18 at the knuckle region. Specifically, it shows that the glove is constructed with the lining 14 separate from or not stitched to either layer of the glove shell 12. This figure also shows that the glove shell 12 includes two layers across the knuckle area, both the cotton fabric 22 and the leather material 20. This construction could be used throughout the glove shell 12. However, as shown, in other areas such as the palm and finger areas 30, 32, 34, 36, and 38, the glove shell 12 preferably includes a single layer, either the cotton fabric 22 or the leather material 20, with the two materials secured together by stitching using the high strength thread, as discussed above also.

As can be appreciated from the above description, the work glove 10 is exceptionally durable. The high strength thread provides increased strength at the major seams, helping to prevent any tearing or splitting between the leather 24 and the fabric 26. The laminated jersey lining 14 and the leather 24 help protect the wearer from abrasions, cuts, punches or tears. The water-resistant layer 60 of the lining 14 also protects the wearer from spills or other liquid contamination, such as oil spills. Despite its durability, the work glove 10 is comfortable to wear over long periods of time, especially due to the fleeced surface 62 of the lining 14 into which a wearer's hand is inserted. 

1. A work glove, comprising: an outer glove layer having a seam stitched with high strength thread; an inner comfort layer; and an intermediate liquid resistant layer therebetween; said liquid resistant layer and said comfort layer presenting a glove lining secured within said outer glove layer, with said comfort layer adapted to receive a wearer's hand.
 2. A work glove as claimed in claim 1 wherein said outer glove layer has a leather portion and a fabric portion secured together by said high strength thread.
 3. A work glove as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: a cuff portion secured to an open end of said outer glove layer by a second seam stitched with said high strength thread.
 4. A work glove as claimed in claim 1 wherein said intermediate liquid resistant layer is rubberized.
 5. A work glove as claimed in claim 1 wherein said comfort layer is jersey fabric laminated and said liquid resistant layer includes nitrile butane rubber.
 6. A work glove as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: a cinch line across a wrist area of said outer glove layer stitched with said high strength thread.
 7. A work glove as claimed in claim 2 wherein said leather portion and said cotton portion extend across a knuckle area of said outer glove layer.
 8. A work glove as claimed in claim 3 wherein said cuff portion is formed of fabric laminated with polyethylene rubber.
 9. A work glove comprising: an outer glove layer having a first high strength seam; and an inner glove lining with a first liquid resistant layer and a second fabric layer; and a cuff portion secured to an open end of said outer glove layer by a second high strength seam and secured to said inner glove lining.
 10. A work glove as claimed in claim 9 wherein said outer glove layer has a leather portion and a fabric portion secured by said first high strength seam.
 11. A work glove as claimed in claim 9 wherein said first liquid resistant layer is rubberized.
 12. A work glove as claimed in claim 9 wherein said first liquid resistant surface is nitrile butane rubber.
 13. A work glove as claimed in claim 9 wherein said outer glove portion includes a high strength cinch line at a wrist portion thereof.
 14. A work glove as claimed in claim 9 wherein said cuff portion is formed of rubberized fabric
 15. A work glove as claimed in claim 9 wherein said cuff portion is formed of fabric laminated with polyethylene rubber. 